Government Initiative For Abroad Education: The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• National Overseas Scholarship
• Features and Benefits of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
• Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship Scheme
• Who is Not Eligible for the Scheme?
• Application Procedure and Documents Required
• Process of Application
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Introduction

Studying abroad is a long-term aspiration for many Indian students, but the cost of international education often becomes a major barrier. To make overseas higher education more accessible to eligible students from disadvantaged communities, the Government of India introduced the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. For the 2026-27 selection cycle, the scheme provides financial assistance towards tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, visa fees and health insurance for eligible candidates.

Here's a closer look at the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme, including its eligibility criteria, benefits and application process for the 2026–27 selection cycle. 

National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and focuses on providing financial assistance to full-time or regular students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans' communities to pursue their dreams of overseas higher education.

The overseas scholarship scheme provides financial assistance to 125 students annually (subject to change as funds become available), aiming for a Master's or a PhD degree from any government-accredited or recognised university in an eligible foreign country in any field of study. The scheme aims to improve access to overseas higher education for eligible students from the notified beneficiary communities.

Features and Benefits of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

The scheme allocates scholarships across different beneficiary categories as shown below.

The benefits offered under the overseas scholarship scheme are as follows:

Air Passage: The scheme also reimburses economy-class airfare for travel from India to the destination country. Tickets must be booked through the authorised travel partners notified under the scheme, and reimbursement is processed by the Indian Mission after the student joins the university and submits the required documents. Expenses such as excess baggage, booking charges and cancellation charges are not covered. The awarded scholarship shall be provided for a maximum period of 3 years for a Master's degree and 4 years for a PhD.

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship Scheme

• The scholarship is available only to students from the Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans' communities.
• The student must hold an admission letter to pursue a Master's degree or PhD from an institute or university located in any foreign country. The chosen university must be government-accredited or authorised by the relevant authorities of that country.
• The candidate must have scored at least 60% or equivalent marks in the required qualifying examination as directed by the university.
• The candidate's total family income must not exceed INR 8 Lakh per annum.
• If a candidate has taken lateral entry to the 2nd year of Bachelor's after completing a one-year diploma course, the marks obtained in the Bachelor's programme will be considered for entry into the Master's course.
• 30% of the slots are set aside for women candidates each year, which may be given to male candidates only in case of an inadequate number of women applicants.

Who is Not Eligible for the Scheme?

• Students applying for Bachelor's level courses.
• Candidates staying or studying abroad, or who have completed their studies abroad through some other state or national-level scholarship programme, or even by self-funding.
• No more than two children of the same family are eligible for the scholarship.
• Candidates applying for the same level of courses (for instance, a Master's degree in some other field) which they have already completed in any university in India or abroad.

Application Procedure and Documents Required

While applying for the National Overseas Scholarship scheme, interested students must have the following documents ready:

• Class 10th board certificate
• Caste or category proof or certificate
• Passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature of the applicant
• Residential address (both current and permanent)
• Passing degree and mark sheets of the qualifying exam, or provisional certificate in case of the last semester
• All documents regarding application, acceptance, and admission to a foreign university
• Family income certificate
• Applicant's NOC certificate from the employer (if the applicant is employed)
• Gap certificate, if the applicant has a gap of more than 6 months after completing the qualifying degree
• Aadhaar details and ITR Certificate

Documents required post-selection of the applicant for the scholarship:

• Attestation form
• Self-declaration or undertaking of the total annual family income of the applicant
• Self-declaration regarding pending case or non-conviction of any offence
• A passport copy of the applicant

Process of Application

Eligible candidates must apply only through the dedicated NOS portal of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through which applicants can register, upload documents and complete the application process.

• The application process begins with students applying on the official NOS portal: www.nosmsje.gov.in.
• On the portal, students need to register themselves through the "Student Register Form".
• After successful registration, applicants receive their login credentials through their registered email address. (Note: The email address and password added during the registration process will be used as the USER ID and password for the respective student account.)

Eligible candidates should keep track of the application schedule and ensure all required documents are ready before the application window opens.

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Conclusion

As governments continue to invest in human capital, scholarship programmes are becoming an increasingly important part of how countries develop globally connected talent. Their long-term impact extends beyond individual recipients, contributing to stronger academic exchange, research collaboration and international knowledge networks.

FAQs

Can I apply for the National Overseas Scholarship before receiving admission from a foreign university?

No. Applicants must have an admission offer from a government-accredited or recognised foreign university before applying under the scheme.

Can employed candidates apply for the National Overseas Scholarship?

Yes. Employed applicants may apply, provided they meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, wherever applicable.

Can I apply for the scholarship if I have already completed a Master's degree?

No. Candidates are not eligible to receive the scholarship for a course at the same academic level that they have already completed, whether in India or abroad.

Does receiving the scholarship guarantee admission to a foreign university?

No. Candidates must independently secure admission to an eligible foreign university. The scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible students but does not arrange or guarantee admission.

What happens if my course extends beyond the scholarship period?

The scholarship is available only for the maximum duration prescribed under the scheme. Any additional expenses arising from an extension of the course are generally not covered.

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